Valencia Gabay is an academic professional, learning experience designer, and organizational leadership scholar, who utilizes a blend of these areas of expertise to shape how people learn and lead. Since joining The American College of Financial Services in 2020, Valencia has contributed to key program development initiatives in the Institute for Learning Innovation; most notably, the Know Yourself, Grow Your Wealth® program, The College’s premier financial education offering. Beyond her efforts in course design, Valencia worked on the consumer financial education team to cultivate impactful partnerships with corporate, nonprofit, and academic organizations, raising the profile of financial education as social impact. Now, as the managing director for the American College Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality (CEEE), Valencia is committed to using her expertise to drive the Center’s mission and vision. 

Prior to joining The College, Valencia served as a student affairs professional at academic institutions such as Georgia State University, University of Florida, and the University of Central Florida. As both a scholar and practitioner, she has delivered international presentations and co-authored peer-reviewed chapters and articles that explored topics like leading positive changes in higher education, storytelling and building inclusive organizations, group coaching and mentoring, and fostering critical conciseness. She also serves as a facilitator of a community of practice in social entrepreneurship where she invites changemakers to collaborate and drive collective impact. 

Valencia holds an M.Ed. from the University of Florida and a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University.